Alan, you don't know Utah democrats very well... there are several LDS Democrats
/ fiscally and socially conservative Democrats who are already members of that
big tent:

- Senator Pat Jones, Senator Karen Morgan, Former Rep.
Trisha Beck, Representative Marie Poulson, Representative Tim Cosgrove, to name
a few ... not to mention the hundreds of other voting LDS Democrats who live in
this state.

The thing about your comment just proves to me that
people don't go very far to look into things they don't know anything about.
The State Utah Democratic party platform does not encourage or endorse any of
the things you're referring to, but you wouldn't know that if you haven't taken
the time to get to know us.

In reference to Alan's post...the big tent means that you are welcome to enter
and support the issues of clean air and water for Utah, that all people should
have access to health care as well as other concepts on which we may agree. As
a delegate to the Convention, I strive to find areas where we agree and can work
toward. Mr. Dabakis realizes that folks often think we are miles apart, when in
reality we probably agree on at least 75% of important issues; please consider
this an invitation to join in a dialogue with others.

@Alan you are welcome in the tent believe it or no there are others that
agree with you on those issues, but understand it is not the republican party
where such views are just accepted out of hand and held over candidates heads
like a sword. If you think such issues should be a litanies test for any
candidate you may do better with the republicans.

It reminds me of
a circus, which also has many acts, some believable and others not. And
circuses are full of clowns.

I like circuses!

Democrats,
however, tend to believe in such fantasies as big government being the solution
to everything; more taxing and more spending; less freedom- personal or economic
(unless it involves gays). Democrats also tend to believe in gun control, and a
weak national defense.

Alan, you make me laugh. Barack Obama opposes gay marriage. There are many
pro-life Democrats. In addition, the pro-choice position is much more compatible
with the positions of most conservatives that government should get out of
people's personal lives. But perhaps the biggest laugher of all is the idea that
it's the Democrats who are unbridled spenders.

Have you forgotten
that it was Republican George W. Bush who passed a completely unfunded
prescription drug Medicare program costing close to a trillion dollars? VP
Cheney said at the time that "deficits don't matter." How about two
wars started without any attempt to fund the cost of them? How about tax cuts
regardless of those wars and new unfunded social programs? Which President ran a
surplus for three straight years? That's right, Democrat Bill Clinton.

As usual, right wing comments to this article misrepresent the political views
of the majority of Democrats, If you want to see who really favors
"big" government take a look at the record of the Bush Administration.
I think that they were Republicans, were they not? Democrats believe in
effective and freely elected government. Republicans work to suppress the vote
and and "starve the beast". Republicans want a goverment that only
serves the interests of big business and the wealthy. Because most voters are
neither wealthy nor CEO's, the Republican party promotes and hides behind
socially provacative wedge issues as a means to fog up what is really
politically important. Sadly, it seems to work all to well, especially in Utah.
The Democratic Party should achieve a more prominant place in Utah politics if
for nothing more than to check the reactionary excesses of todays ultra-
conservatives. As a political independant, I hope Utah Democrats grow in
strength and become a more effective check against the ultra-right wing
Republican crazys now dominating the political discourse in Utah and around the
nation.

As a conservative member of the LDS church I feel welcome in the Democratic
Party where I don't always agree, but where we can disagree without being
disagreeable. I do not feel welcome in the Republican Party were I must toe the
party line or be dismissed, where there is no room for diverse opinions.

So....after having driven the LDS people out of their party for many years, now
they want us back. I think you're a day late and a dollar short. Most LDS
people have been made so uncomfortable in the Democrat Party, they fled many
years ago. The Dems have no one to blame but themselves

No matter
what claims the state party makes, the fact is, the national Democrat Party has
gone so far to the left, that most Mormons just flat out can't be part of it.
The LDS people are taught to believe in personal responsibility, taking care of
themselves, traditional marriage, high moral values, right to life, free
markets, freedom and opportunity, etc., etc. The Dems support dependence on
government programs, gay marriage, abortion rights, socialized medicine and on
and on. Mormons just can go along.

In order to be Democrats,
Mormons must adopt two competing philosophies. At this time in the world, the
Republican Party (although not perfect) is much more aligned with LDS beliefs.
Most Mormons easily discern this. Unfortunately, a few still don't get it.

DN subscriber: I am an independent who usually votes Democrat in Utah. I don't
agree with some of the views of Democrats and Republicans but I see them, more
than Republicans, as being a party of inclusivity in Utah. Please note I am not
talking about the national party but the state and local party. I voted for
McCain in 2008 but could never vote for Mike Lee. I could vote for him because
he is willing to work across party lines, understanding that half a loaf is
better than no loaf at all.

What our country needs to understand
right now is that both parties (and their representatives voted in by use over
the last century) put us into our current economic situation. It can be fixed
over the longer term but if our representatives do not reach a compromise we
will see a domino effect worldwide that will have devastating effects on our
economy. So raise the debt ceiling and make cuts in federal programs, go back
to the tax rates in place before Pres. Bush and let's restore some fiscal
sanity.

geedub, President James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, was the Democratic Party
Chairperson in Utah for years. He served as a House Representative as a
Democrat.

President Faust once said, "It is in the interest of
the Church to have a two-party system . . . . Both locally and nationally, the
interest of the Church and its members are served when we have two good men or
women running on each ticket, and then no matter who is elected, we win."

Dear Mike in Texas: I love the way Dems always reference George Bush. The
Republican Party is NOT George Bush. LDS and Republicans believe in traditional
and conservative values--not individuals. What Bush did or didn't do is largely
irrelevant to that debate.

No one, who is not in denial, could
possibly think that the Democrat Party as it stands today is in any way
compatible with LDS principles in general. Ah, but you say that the Democrats
are more Christian. They want to help people. Republicans only want to starve
poor people and let old people eat dog food. Everyone should be forced to
contribute to these liberal causes because their heart is in the right place.

First, forcing others to do "right" is Satan's way. LDS
are taught that we should do good based on our own FREE AGENCY--not through
force. Second, these programs don't work, have never worked, destroy lives and
are bankrupting us. That's against LDS principles.

Official
statements from the Church over the years, make it clear that we are NEVER to
accept government help. That is a violation of the admonition to be self
sufficient. Another Democrat priniciple bites the dust.

"Our state is not the Republican Party. People are looking for real life
answers to problems," he said. "I believe to my core, Democrats can
win in Utah. I believe that we can win, and I believe that we will win. Our
party is and must be the party of the big tent."

I hope you are
right but its an uphill battle. For some reason we Democrats are perceived in
Utah and Idaho as being less patriotic and less faithful. I absolutely do not
see how that perception could be sustained by reading the Book of Mormon nor
looking at facts. I finally decided to stand up and not slink into a corner and
wonder why. But you have a better chance in Utah than in eastern Idaho.
Groeberg's father may have been the last Idaho bred Democrat.

"Official statements from the Church over the years, make
it clear that we are NEVER to accept government help."

What are
you talking about? I've known multiple members who delivered their babies
thanks to the Oregon Health Plan and fed them thanks to WIC. I also know
members who receive government assistance to help with housing and Pell Grants
to help pay for college. All of this is done with full knowledge of their
bishops and they're all members in good standing. You seem to be doing what so
many members do: confusing their own right-wing dogma with Church policy.

And based on your logic, why do we even enforce laws at all? Isn't that
"forcing" people to do the right thing?

I predict a wave of Mormon-movement to the Big D side. Mormons are generally
good, smart and brave people and the extreme ends of the Republican party (an
end that becomes wider every day, it seems) are filled with hateful, sheepish
and fearful people. And remember this about those people, my Mormon
friends--they DO NOT like you and they have done their best to make that clear.
This boggles my mind. It's like the ugliest girl in school has let the word out
that she doesn't want to date you and you're still trying to win her affections.
In my tent, I can argue with you all day on any issue you choose (gay
marriage, big govt, education, right to life, Darwinism, climate change)---agree
or disagree and still respect you and your right to hold that opinion. If you
honestly feel that Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachman, Karl Rove, Rush Limbaugh and
your Tea Party brotherhood will do the same--you are probably wading into that
extreme end I mentioned.